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It’s that time of year when Detroit Lions fans hit the pinnacle of hope and anticipate record winnings for 2022, but one NFL analyst isn’t so sure.
In a one-hour special segment For NFL Network, analyst Adam Rank predicted every single NFL team’s record game-by-game in 2022. After about 10 minutes, he turned his attention to the NFC North, starting with Detroit.
“You fought a lot last season – will that lead to wins?” asks Rang.
He begins by predicting a loss for the Lions’ season opener at Ford Field to the Philadelphia Eagles. Not too crazy an attitude, because as you might remember – or might have blocked – the Eagles delivered an absolutely brutal 44-6 putdown last year. But Rank believes the Lions will bounce back quickly, followed by a win over the Washington Commanders at home too.
The Lions won’t find success away against division rivals the Minnesota Vikings, but without Russell Wilson they will topple the Seattle Seahawks at home, Rank predicts. After that, Matt Patricia’s offensive play will be too strong for the Lions in New England and they will lose to the Patriots. (I can’t wait to see your comments on this.)
The reunion won’t help the Lions much – Rank predicts they will lose the next three games if they travel to Dallas against the Cowboys and then return to Ford Field to face the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers. But he says they will break the losing streak in Chicago.
“I’m a fan of the Bears — I think (Dan Campbell) will beat them,” Rank said. “I think he’s going to get a win against the Bears this season.”
Rank predicts losses to both the New York Giants away and the Buffalo Bills at home. But then he has a surprising take on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ matchup in Detroit.
“I know a lot of Lions fans see this as a win – I don’t think so,” Rank said, tapping the red “L” for loss on his monitor.
The Lions will beat the Vikings at home this time in week 14, he believes. Rank calls the New York Jets “a team (the Lions) that’s in a very similar situation,” and predicts Detroit will come out on top and overwhelm them on the street. However, it won’t be the same story against the Carolina Panthers, the Bears at home, and the Packers in Green Bay. Rank predicts the Lions will win 5-12 in 2022.
“At best, the intensity pays off, with the Lions racing towards the playoffs. Worst-case scenario, Jared Goff is your quarterback. That’s why you get five wins, but you know what, you could bring it up in the draft,” he said.
TL;DR —
- vs Eagles – Loss
- against commanders – victory
- @ Vikings – loss
- vs Seahawks – Victory
- @ Patriots – loss
- BYE
- @ Dallas – Loss
- vs. dolphins – loss
- against Packer – loss
- @ Bears – Winning
- @ Giants – Loss
- vs. bills – loss
- against jaguars – loss
- vs. Vikings – victory
- @ Jets – win
- @Panthers – Loss
- vs. bears – loss
- @ Packers – loss
Rank’s hour-long presentation on each NFL team is pretty impressive in my humble opinion, You can watch it in full here.
And the rest of your notes.
- CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco wrote his list of Top 100 players in 2022. Not a single Lion made the list, yikes, but one got an honorable mention.
- As you know, many ex-athletes become broadcasters. A couple of former Lions came in to chat with the rookies about what their future might be after the game.
- Tim Twentyman and Mike O’Hara recap the Detroit Lions’ entire 2022 offseason program on this week’s episode of Twentyman in the Huddle.